While petting fido or fluffy, you come across a lump. Don’t panic. Don’t self-diagnose. There are many possible causes for lumps–some harmless and some requiring more intensive veterinarian care. While lumps can be found anywhere on your pet’s body, they are typically discovered on areas where the pet is touched most often, such as the top of the head, chin, and belly. Plus, lumps are more commonly seen on dogs than on cats, but both can develop benign and malignant lumps. So, what’s the difference?
A Common Issue
Our vets at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics have seen a lot of skin masses, growths, or tumors — basically lumps and bumps that appear on (within) or just under the surface of a pet’s skin. These masses can appear anywhere on a pet’s body, but they’re more likely to be noticed by owners when they show up on a pet’s head, back, or sides.
Although lumps and bumps are rather common on older pets (dogs in particular), they can appear on a dog or cat of any age.
These growths can develop in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be small or large, flat or rounded or even pointy, soft and movable (common with fatty masses), or firm and fixed/immovable. They may be hairless, skin-colored, or discolored.
A growth’s appearance can give your vet an indication of what type of mass it is, but some masses with different causes may look similar on the surface.
Causes and Types of Skin Masses
There are a wide variety of causes, which is why it isn’t helpful to jump to conclusions on your own. Viruses, sun exposure, chemicals in the environment, hormones, and genetics are all factors that may be to blame for skin growths in pets. Some types of skin masses have no obvious cause.
Finding a growth on your pet may be scary, but rest assured that many lumps and bumps are benign (noncancerous). However, certain masses can be a sign of a serious condition. Below are some common types of lumps in pets:
- Benign superficial masses—Fatty tumors (lipomas), fluid-filled cysts (cystic tumors), skin tags, moles, warts (papillomas) or wart-like masses, histiocytomas, sebaceous cysts (blocked oil glands), and benign melanomas are all types of noncancerous masses.
- Abscesses—These painful swellings on the skin are often the result of a puncture wound, typically from an animal bite. More common in cats than in dogs, a bite wound abscess is usually found on the face, neck, or tail.
- Malignant tumors—Soft-tissue sarcomas, fibrosarcomas, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and mast cell tumors are all types of cancerous masses. Some melanomas can also be cancerous. The sooner these are caught and treated, the better.
Checking for Masses
Washing your dog is the perfect time to be on the lookout for lumps and bumps. Take your time when lathering your pet to check areas you wouldn’t normally touch when petting or playing, such as the inside of the thigh or front of the throat. Masses can appear in other areas, like a pet’s legs, feet, and belly, which is why it’s important to check your pet all over for lumps. Of course, some lumps and bumps are more obvious than others. Likewise, for cats, check while brushing (if they tolerate brushing). Spend your time and follow the brush with your hand to spot any irregularities. Daily brushing is the best defense because, ideally, you want to feel for any new masses every day. If you take your pet to a groomer, make sure they inform you if they find anything out of the ordinary.
To check your pet for lumps and bumps, run your hands firmly (but gently):
- Over the top of the head and down the cheeks
- Down and behind the ears
- Down the chin and throat
- Down the back and sides of the neck
- Over the chest
- Down the back
- Along the stomach
- Around the groin
- Under the armpits
- Down the legs
- Over the tops of the feet
- Between the toes
Make sure you feel through the fur, not just over your pet’s coat. If you find something, also note whether your pet reacts to your touching them (by pulling away, for instance) and also note the approximate size.
Even tiny lumps can be a sign of something serious, so don’t wait to let your vet know what you’ve found.
Contact Your Vet at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics Right Away If You Find Anything
If you’ve found a lump or bump on your pet, give us a call right away to make an appointment. The difference between a benign mass and something more serious isn’t always obvious, therefore your veterinarian needs to take a look.
Our vets are going to ask you a series of diagnostic discovery questions such as when you first noticed the bump and if your pet is sensitive to touching it. We will also ask how quickly the lump appeared and if it has changed over time and at what rate before performing a physical exam. Depending on the type of growth, options could include:
- Fine-needle aspiration, which involves inserting a small needle into the lump and removing cells that are then evaluated under a microscope or sent to a lab for examination. This method can’t always tell us exactly what the mass is, but it may help guide next steps.
- Biopsy, a procedure in which part or all of the mass will be removed.
- Surgical removal, if the mass is cancerous or is causing your pet discomfort or pain.
- Other treatment, based on your vet’s diagnosis or suspected cause.
- Watch and wait. If your vet knows or suspects that it’s a noncancerous mass, he or she will note its appearance, size, and location and ask you to keep an eye on it for any changes. During subsequent exams, your vet will check to make sure the mass hasn’t changed. You as the pet owner should be diligent as well and let your vet know immediately if you notice anything different (size, shape, or color).
Even benign growths can turn cancerous, which is why it’s important to regularly check for masses on your pet and to let your vet know if anything has changed, even in a previously diagnosed benign growth. Don’t hesitate to call or visit our vet clinic at the first sign of something unusual. After all, no one knows your pet better than you.
